Javier Moreno has been growing limes in Colima, Mexico since 1976. With 340 hectares under cultivation, a packing house and a processing facility, he is one of the largest independent organic lime producers in Mexico. In 2005 Javier teamed up with Fairtrasa to access organic markets in Europe, Canada and the USA. Together we have worked on improving post harvest techniques and overall fruit quality in close collaboration with international agriculture experts. His sophisticated quality control and food safety monitoring systems ensure the excellence of his limes. He is one of the largest employers in the area, providing jobs to over 140 people.
Organic Benefits: Javier converted to organic production because he did not want his family living amongst toxic chemicals. With an orchard near the beach, he was also concerned about pesticide runoff contaminating the complex ecosystem.
Future Plans: To further improve the quality of the fruit, Fairtrasa's technical team will start a large post-harvest study in conjunction with Europe's most renowned post-harvest universities. Furthermore, with the help of the Mexican government, he will begin building a development for his field workers and their families that includes 40 houses, a school, a medical clinic, a playground, a soccer field, and a day care center.